Mortality rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: drug-specific comparisons in the Swedish Biologics Register

Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Nov;64(11):3502-10. doi: 10.1002/art.34582.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the differences in the modes of action and safety profiles of individual tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) translate into differential mortality risks, as investigated in etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab.

Methods: Data on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) identified in the Swedish Biologics Register (Anti-Rheumatic Therapy in Sweden [ARTIS]) in whom first-ever treatment with a biologic agent (etanercept [n = 2,686], infliximab [n = 2,027], or adalimumab [n = 1,609]) was initiated between 2003 and 2008 were linked to national Swedish registers to get information on deaths from any cause, demographic features, RA characteristics, comorbid conditions, and concurrent treatment at the start of TNFi treatment. Hazard ratios (HRs) were modeled using multivariable adjusted and weighted Cox models.

Results: During 19,118 person-years of followup, 211 patients died (3.3%; 1.1 deaths per 100 person-years); 85% of the deaths occurred among patients who had been exposed to only one TNFi. We found no statistically significant difference in overall mortality rates across the exposure groups, regardless of adjustment and modeling approach (for infliximab versus etanercept, HR 1.1 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.7-1.7], and for adalimumab versus etanercept, HR 1.3 [95% CI 0.9-2.0]).

Conclusion: Overall, we noted no statistically significant difference in mortality rates between the 3 TNF inhibitors under study. Further studies need to examine whether certain subsets of patients are at increased risk of death with specific TNFi.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / mortality*
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects
  • Infliximab
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / administration & dosage
  • Registries / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Infliximab
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept